Driving my new b28 from Buzzards Bay to Fort Lauderdale

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Mar 15th, '22, 11:12

I figured I’d post here in case I bump into any of you guys along the way. I bought my b28 from a guy up in MA and I’m going up on Thursday (17th) to bring her home. We’re going to run to Manhattan the first day, then down to Norfolk the second. Hopefully to Beaufort NC on the 3rd day and if we can keep that schedule we can run 7 or 8 hour days the rest of the way back to Fort Lauderdale.

Gimme Shelter is her current name with around 300 hrs on her. We’ve got plenty of tools, supplies and spare parts to hopefully keep us on track. The recent surge is gas prices is a bit annoying but overall should be an awesome trip. If you see us be sure to say hello!

kross1 · Post by **kross1** » Mar 15th, '22, 15:06

Sounds like a nice road trip so to speak. Good luck.

Snipe · Post by **Snipe** » Mar 15th, '22, 17:40

You should stay in Atlantic highlands NJ first night cheapr and nicer than Manhattan. if you plan on running inside in the ice you should stop at Coinjock for an awesome prime rib!! Have a safe trip down!

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Mar 16th, '22, 00:32

Good luck with the trip.

Remember, if you have to sneak inside do to bad weather, be careful with Barnegat, for those that are not familiar with it make sure you key on the entrance buoy, so stay at least a mile off the beach as you approach. Most accidents happen because the last 50 yards of the North Jetty is underwater. Going over those rocks is fatal. Always make sure you stay east of the North stanchion.

Not sure how the outer bar is this year, but last year it was breaking on a big swell. Unfortunately, boat traffic is light right now so following someone in can not ge counted on.

The next inlet down us 18 miles and has severe shoaling and the marking are questionable especially this time of the year. After tgat is Atlantic City, a decent inlet with goid services if. needed.

Enjoy the trip.

CamB25 · Post by **CamB25** » Mar 16th, '22, 06:37

Sounds like fun! I'd love to read a diary of the trip when you get a chance.

If you need/want a free slip for a night in Wilmington, NC, let me know. Mine is open right now while my B25 is in the drive way for annual maintenance. 35 foot slip.

Good luck

Cam

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Mar 16th, '22, 07:10

If going to Manhatten you'll be passing Staten Island...if you need something pickup the phone.
nine one seven. nine five two. seven seven zero three.

Sounds like a hell of a trip in a 28'

What do you have for power?

Enjoy!

Yannis · Post by **Yannis** » Mar 16th, '22, 07:52

If you change your mind slightly and wouldn't care doing a few more miles, I will be in Syros island in the Aegean, oh I'd say if you take turns on the wheel it shouldn't be too tiring!

Bruce · Post by **Bruce** » Mar 16th, '22, 09:21

Haven't done a N or S trip in years. Be fun to see what's changed.

Make sure you have your VHF on going by Norfolk.
Last time Pat and I did the trip, we left Atlantic city and forgot to turn it on for a missile warning launch that am.

Needless to say cruising down the coast and not hearing the warning to stay way off shore, we were stormed by a few Navy ships.

We then realized the VHF was off. We got a stern warning and escorted out to the safety zone.

Fun times.

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Mar 16th, '22, 10:35

I am on Carters Creek about ten miles up the Rappahannock River from the Chesapeake Bay if you get caught short.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 16th, '22, 14:57

romeomikehotel wrote: ↑Mar 15th, '22, 11:12 I figured I’d post here in case I bump into any of you guys along the way. I bought my b28 from a guy up in MA and I’m going up on Thursday (17th) to bring her home. We’re going to run to Manhattan the first day, then down to Norfolk the second. Hopefully to Beaufort NC on the 3rd day and if we can keep that schedule we can run 7 or 8 hour days the rest of the way back to Fort Lauderdale.

Gimme Shelter is her current name with around 300 hrs on her. We’ve got plenty of tools, supplies and spare parts to hopefully keep us on track. The recent surge is gas prices is a bit annoying but overall should be an awesome trip. If you see us be sure to say hello!

If you want a spot for reasonably cheap fuel stop by Bennett's Point, SC. We are just south of Charleston, SC near Edisto Beach. My fish camp is just off the ICW MM #168. I'll buy you a beer or two and you can check out my B31 project. If you want a break for a night, I have a dock as well.

If it looks like a good stop for you, send me a PM and I'll send you my cell # and address.

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Mar 22nd, '22, 08:31

Thanks everyone for the kind words. I haven’t updated yet because we’ve been running hard. The boats been running great and we made it inside Oregon inlet yesterday afternoonn.

Unfortunately we’ve now hit a snag and I’ve got some down time to follow up here. We headed into Oregon Inlet Marina and got gas… gas which had water in it. Made it about 600 yards out the marina and both engines cut out. Drifted into a shoal and waited for boat US. Got all the water out of the separators and kept putting fresh gas in the carb till I got the engines running again. Boat US pulled me off the shoal and stuck around while I ran another 600 yards before the separators were full of water and killed both engines… got towed to Wanchese Marina where were now attempting to find a Marina to haul the boat out and set her down on the hard with bow high so we can get the water to the back of the tank and start pumping it out.

I’ll update in awhile when we get some down time.

RMh

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Mar 22nd, '22, 08:49

Damn, that sucks!

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 22nd, '22, 16:34

That really sucks.

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Mar 23rd, '22, 08:26

after been hit with bad gas a couple of times and ending up with every water and gatorade bottle on board loaded up with bad gas in an attempt to drain the water separator while on the water, you can typically get the water out of the gas, but where to store the junk gas in the process???

I strongly suggest getting a small 2-3 gallon tank and a funnel having it on board so as you could potentially empty the water separators while on the water and store the crap gas safely. $20 for a small tank and funnel is fairly cheap insurance.

saburke17 · Post by **saburke17** » Mar 23rd, '22, 16:07

I ran from St Pete to Boston in 2020, right as Covid was kicking off. Boston was my intended finish point, but on Day 14 i was still only in Wilmington NC, Bad weather was most of the cause. I hauled it and shipped her the rest of the way. This was in a 31 with new 240 yanmars, Wouldn't want to make that trip with a gas job. Was warned in wilmington by a local Captain that the intercoastal running north of us was in very poor condition. Be safe out there

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Mar 23rd, '22, 20:22

Good news! Used the saltwater wash down pumped Jerry rigged as a fuel pump to pull the water out of the bottom of the tank. Grabbed about 2 gallons total of water.

After that waste of 24 hours we hit the road and hustled down to Beaufort NC and then Southport NC for the night. Today we got up and ran to myrtle beach to drop my co-pilot so he could fly home and then I ran the rest of the way to Charleston outside. It was a pretty hairy day out there and burned maybe twice the fuel I planned on but she took it on the chin and we got in fine, though a little late.

Right now I’m going to have to park her at a marina for a week to fly back home for a wedding and then I’ll come back up here and resume the journey.

One of my favorite parts of the trip so far has been when I encounter another b28 or a b31 as I pass by. Those 31s are certainly the hotter older sister but I’m loving this b28 more every day!

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Mar 24th, '22, 15:01

If any of you would like to watch us look a little foolish and see some of our trip documentation you can take a look here:

https://youtu.be/TfuYaxY5knE

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Mar 24th, '22, 17:05

I'm not sure when you did it but I have a place in Wareham, 10 min away from where you launched from.

hopefully you didn't cut hens and chickens reef off too tight off gooseberry point - there's a nasty rock pile with 5-6' depth quite a ways offshore, your plot showed you going quite tight there

you've got some guts running some of those places at night with limited knowledge of an area on an untrusted boat, my hat is off to you!!!

edit- adding link to chart - https://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/13228.shtml

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Mar 25th, '22, 08:49

romeomikehotel wrote: ↑Mar 23rd, '22, 20:22 Good news! Used the saltwater wash down pumped Jerry rigged as a fuel pump to pull the water out of the bottom of the tank. Grabbed about 2 gallons total of water.

After that waste of 24 hours we hit the road and hustled down to Beaufort NC and then Southport NC for the night. Today we got up and ran to myrtle beach to drop my co-pilot so he could fly home and then I ran the rest of the way to Charleston outside. It was a pretty hairy day out there and burned maybe twice the fuel I planned on but she took it on the chin and we got in fine, though a little late.

Right now I’m going to have to park her at a marina for a week to fly back home for a wedding and then I’ll come back up here and resume the journey.

One of my favorite parts of the trip so far has been when I encounter another b28 or a b31 as I pass by. Those 31s are certainly the hotter older sister but I’m loving this b28 more every day!

Not sure if you've left Charleston yet but you're welcome to my dock just S. of Charleston. I'm just off the ICW.

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Mar 25th, '22, 14:10

Ironworker wrote: ↑Mar 25th, '22, 08:49 Not sure if you've left Charleston yet but you're welcome to my dock just S. of Charleston. I'm just off the ICW.

That’s kind of you Rick, I’m already down in Dominican Republic and the boats at Cooper River Marina for the next few days. Just hoping the shore power and bilge pumps work correctly till I get back. If you happen to ride by I hope you don’t see her sitting low in the water!

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Apr 1st, '22, 15:13

But of a bummer of an update but after the DR trip I flew back to Charleston to find that the fwd clutch packs on the starboard transmission had welded themselves together. Likely from the hard running through that storm last week for about 6 hrs.

I still wasn’t ready to give up so me and a buddy ran her from Charleston to Savannah but I gave up once we got to Savannah and I had to deal with docking attempts on 1 motor in the wind… and the offshore report for an even worse day than the day I think killed the trans.

So the boats at Hogans marina in Savannah and should be loaded on a truck tomorrow morning and on her way down to Lauderdale.

Here’s a quick video of the NYC portion of the trip where we got boarded by the CG. Good guys. https://youtu.be/Mp7wvwLHVDo

Tony Meola · Post by **Tony Meola** » Apr 2nd, '22, 22:08

Coming down the east river at night, the city lit up in the background. Great site. Probably no other city like it. Or should I say, there use to be no other City like it.

Ironworker · Post by **Ironworker** » Apr 5th, '22, 19:35

romeomikehotel wrote: ↑Apr 1st, '22, 15:13 But of a bummer of an update but after the DR trip I flew back to Charleston to find that the fwd clutch packs on the starboard transmission had welded themselves together. Likely from the hard running through that storm last week for about 6 hrs.

I still wasn’t ready to give up so me and a buddy ran her from Charleston to Savannah but I gave up once we got to Savannah and I had to deal with docking attempts on 1 motor in the wind… and the offshore report for an even worse day than the day I think killed the trans.

So the boats at Hogans marina in Savannah and should be loaded on a truck tomorrow morning and on her way down to Lauderdale.

Here’s a quick video of the NYC portion of the trip where we got boarded by the CG. Good guys. https://youtu.be/Mp7wvwLHVDo

I hate to hear the latest news! Good luck getting her back in the water.

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Apr 6th, '22, 09:59

Thanks guys, she’s in Fort Lauderdale finally. I had her trucked back from Savannah GA which went smoothly minus the flybridge windshield getting smashed leaving the marina in GA… any recommendations on replacement options are appreciated.

I’ve spoken with a few transmission shops and it looks like a rebuild is going to be $1500-$2k so I’m going to get started here any day cutting out the deck between the engine hatch and the shaft seal hatch (may be possible to pull the trans without cutting the deck but doesn’t look worth the extra effort).
As I understand it, its about a 3-4 hr job to get the trans and reduction gear out so not terrible.
Thinking about sending it to Transmission Marine here in Lauderdale for the rebuild but again, suggestions are appreciated.

So overall I’m real happy to have her home and just a small hurdle to get her back in action. I was happy to find that my truck tows her no problem in/out at the boat ramp even though my trailer is certainly under sized for the job.
I’ll consider a new trailer once I get her back in action. After that I’m looking towards painting her and changing the name from her current, Gimme Shelter, to Cool Runnings which I’ll give my wife credit for helping me with the new name.

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Apr 6th, '22, 10:17

What kind of transmission? Sorry to hear about the problem, but better it happened when it did than go out when you were outside in bad weather!

Tooeez · Post by **Tooeez** » Apr 6th, '22, 14:17

After owning a 28 for 34 years I have to say, IMHO, that cutting the deck is a huge mistake--you will weaken the entire deck structure for both the cockpit and engine hatch decks. And you will also find a plywood bulkhead aft of the engines that sits right over the transmission, so that would have to be cut too--and that bulkhead ties the middle section of the boat together.

It is far easier to remove the engine and then pull the transmission. That gives you a chance to clean under the engine, and inspect the stringers--which on 28's usually need some attention . . .

MarkD · Post by **MarkD** » Apr 6th, '22, 14:47

I have been through this also with my B28 in the past although it was a bit newer (1988). A few thoughts:

- pulling the engine and trans was quite simple as Tooeez indicates. It didn't take long and came our easily.
- if it is a 1.5:1 velvet drive (mine was), they are readily available and I had mine rebuilt very inexpensively. This place has them used for $500 and rebuilt exchange for about $1000.
www.1800runsnew.com

- i was able to replace my windshield in a nice light smoke color from Danny at Hightide Marine. It was very nice and a direct replacement.
hightidedp@aol.com

- if you pull the engine, check the stringers for rot and it might be a good time to re-glass it
- if you do, might want to consider the PSS shaft seals. They worked great on my B28 for 13 years without the need for maintenance.

Congrats - a great boat.

Mark

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Apr 7th, '22, 17:03

Alright you guys convinced me not to cut the deck.
I realized I just want to get this behind me so I can enjoy the boat with my wife so I met a mobile mechanic over at the boat today and he and his partner are going to start pulling it tomorrow, guaranteed me no cutting decks… I might be slightly over paying but I think I’m going to be happy with the results and I’ll have her back on the water much quicker this way.

In other news, here’s the 3rd video of the trip. I don’t really enjoy editing the videos so it’s taking longer than it should to get them posted but I’ll get it all done eventually.

Manhattan to Cape May - Part 3 of the Eastern Seaboard Journey south to Miami - Great Loop Adventure
https://youtu.be/CfwevkJ45ts

nestorpr · Post by **nestorpr** » Apr 8th, '22, 01:01

There's another forum member parting out his B28 in this forum, maybe he has the windshield still available?

Carl · Post by **Carl** » Apr 8th, '22, 08:31

YOu won't be sorry you did it the right way after your done.

Running the East River, around Manhatten and Upper Bay, in the dark for your first trip there...man that takes balls. So much stuff in the water there aside from the congestion of the ferries, ships, tugs, boats...

FYI- that was the Verrazano Bridge, not the Brooklyn. You went under the Brooklyn as the last bridge on East River before going around the tip of Manhatten.

...and running the Jersy Intercoastal at night when unfamiliar. Did I mention that takes balls.

Mentioning Balls...you don't want to run that microwave towards your body parts. AKA Radar...the radar waves are NOT good for you.

THESALTYSATO · Post by **THESALTYSATO** » Apr 8th, '22, 13:10

I am enjoying your videos. I am like Carl . You have nerves of steel and i guess you had plenty of beer running the Harbor at night in the fog and New Jersey Intercoastal at night. Carl said it right. Looking forward to the next segment.

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Apr 18th, '22, 19:32

Thanks guys we definitely had a good time. Got the transmission out to the local shop but they’re a bit high. I’ve got another guy a bit north selling me a used one with warranty and going to pick it up in a couple days and hopefully get her back on the water in a week or two.

Regarding the windshield, I purchased some acrylic in what I think is the right size… gonna try and make it myself. Might work, might not.

In other news here’s the 5th video… this is where all the problems finally started arising.
https://youtu.be/ujnJuFocSiM

MarkD · Post by **MarkD** » Apr 20th, '22, 21:23

By evidence of the multiple Miller light cans throughout the video, must have made for a fun ride. Did the marina make good on the bad gas costs and hauling? Entertaining videos and looked like a fun mission. Keep us posted on progress.

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Apr 25th, '22, 09:06

Unfortunately no, Oregon Onlet Marina was rather rude in dealing with the bad gas situation and refused to accept any responsibility. Frustrating but I don’t think there’s a whole lot I can do about.

The trip was a blast though, now I’m itching to do a big trip again. It’s certainly been entertaining listening to people tell me how I should have just had the boat shipped back! And miss all that! Lol

ktm_2000 · Post by **ktm_2000** » Apr 25th, '22, 10:05

I've done well over 100 trips going to the canyons on boats maintained meticulously by captains and in a few of those trips we have broken down and had to do repairs or come home on one engine, etc. The odds were quite low of breaking down but that is due to the level of maintenance done on the vessels.

to me I think it is somewhat crazy to do such a trip on an new to you boat where you didn't have the opportunity to go through and understand the condition and operational ability of the components on the boat prior to starting your trip. Crap breaks all the time and you couldn't have known any of the nuances of the various different systems on the boat and what level of differed maintenance were done under the previous owner. Compound that with running in unfamiliar locations at night, your experience turned out pretty good, a transmission failure in the wrong spot in the middle of the night or in bad weather could have turned out quite bad.

On the positive side you got a bunch of hours on the boat and were able to run it enough to put it through its paces and get some of the problems to come out into the open so you can address them. I'm guessing you'll be looking at an improved fuel cleaning setup to help aid any future water in fuel issues.

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Apr 25th, '22, 18:24

Definitely good points and I could talk all day about how I can handle it etc but it could’ve gone different, but it went the way it went and it was a blast. As far as the boat goes though, I spent the better part of a few months talking with the old owner before I picked her up. He knew what we were going to do with her and was super helpful as far as what had or had not been done to the boat and potential breaking points. By the time it was ready to launch I was pretty confident I could address any issues as they occurred. Definitely got lucky quite a few times though!

Here’s the newest video, the one that cooked the transmission. Definitely a fun part of the trip

https://youtu.be/iPzjyhh1Vhk

romeomikehotel · Post by **romeomikehotel** » Jan 27th, '23, 10:56

After almost a year out of water for a new transmission she’s finally back in the water.
I had two different mechanics turn out to be mostly thieves who took money but never accomplished much. A month or so ago I finally took the boat back and brought her home to complete the work myself. It was a bit of a pain but nothing major. I wish I hadn’t waited so long.
Anyways, I went and dropped her in the water last weekend to work out any bugs before I bring guests aboard.
She needs a few things as you’ll see in the video but nothing major at this point.

https://youtu.be/WSfh3pzJ4q0

John F. · Post by **John F.** » Jan 27th, '23, 11:22

Congratulations! The video was great. Trailering, launching and retrieving a B28 with just the help of your dog is pretty impressive, as was the Escalade. B28 looks good and it looks like all went well (bummer about the windshield. Enjoy

Rawleigh · Post by **Rawleigh** » Feb 10th, '23, 13:13

Sometimes you just have to do it yourself! Congratulations.